Columbus Mission to Mandeville, Katrina Relief

Hey all,
Well yesterday we got almost 40 people ready and out by 8:30. They were really ready at 8:10 but we needed to lighten a trailer load a bit so we had a little unpacking to do.

Our team had quite a stressful night last night. Tuscaloosa had 5 tornadoes touched down last night but our leader - Robin Weier actually followed instructions and had called ahead to our host church to let them know of our arrival. Thank you Lord for protecting your team of workers.

This morning God spoke and I got an email with a referral from Worthington Christian Church. Our 29 pallets of goods will be picked up today or tomorrow and be delivered before the end of the week to LA. Our only cost is fuel. Praise God for His faithfulness to His tasks. Now Mandeville and the area will have some much needed supplies for the victims and workers.

Team 2 we need some more pictures for the website. Please get some to me.

Well as team 4 readies (over 60 strong right now) please know we are working on plans to determine how we will continue our efforts. We need you and God to speak to us. Should we continue trying to send teams? Can we keep a supply of workers and supplies on a monthly basis. Financially we will continue to need support is there more areas and resources we can tap into?

A few things I want to praise you all for By the end of next week:

• We will have sent more than 160 workers to the area to help in the clean up
• We will have collected more than $20,000 in cash
• We will have sent more than 50,000 lbs of goods to the area to be distributed

Central Ohio is to be commended for its response to this great need. These were not sent by some large corporation or government office. These were just everyday people ....... Christian people who know the love of Christ and therefore want to share it. The need is not over. We still need your donations so watch the website and get the word out to your friends and co workers. Post the website at work and send it out to all your friends and lists. While we may slow our efforts, we can not forget the people in LA who so depserately need our help.

Do not believe the media who are congregating in the large cities. Each week there are new pockets of small communities uncovered by our teams who have had no help yet. They need supplies and support.

For those of you who might be able to get your church to consider a special contribution for these efforts please know we have a short 3 to 4 minute CD with pictures from LA and a request for funds. It is supposed to be up on the website but I have not seen it yet. If you would like a copy sent to your church so you can support these efforts please contact me and I will forward you a copy.

May God bless you as you consider your role to date and in the future. He has called us to support our fellow borthers and sisters and to insure that He is glorified through the dissaster.

Brad Hayes